Everything you need to know: Frank Fisher Cup 2023

The Frank Fisher Cup is one of the most significant events on the QRL calendar kicking off our recognition of National Reconciliation Week. 

Held in Chinchilla this year, two matches will be played and streamed live and free on Qplus.tv on Saturday, one featuring the Frank Fisher Invitational XIII and the other the Central Crows women's representative side, against respective men's and women's teams representing Queensland Police Service.

"We pay particular tribute to Frank Fisher due to his contribution to rugby league which ultimately saw him named in the Indigenous Team of the Century in 2008 alongside the likes of Arthur Beetson, Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston," QRL Central region manager Rob Crow said.

"It was a reflection not only on the Townsville-born five-eighth's talent, but the way the Cherbourg skipper of the 1930s and 1940s was able to overcome generational adversity to achieve greatness, not just going down as a legend of his community but of his nation.

"We are fortunate to have the support of his family for the event held in his name, which serves as inspiration for us all."

Coinciding with the start of National Reconciliation Week, this year the event tackles other key aspects.

The Frank Fisher Cup's link with police is longstanding and an important part of the messaging around the awareness and prevention of domestic violence.

The Cup and preceding activities are also this year designed to help support the community's healing process after tragedy struck last year, when Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold were killed in the line of duty, as was Alan Dare, who lived at the neighbouring property at Wieambilla, as he raced to their aid.

"Colleagues and friends of the police officers, and friends and family of Alan Dare, including his wife Kerry Dare and their children, will be attending," Crow said.

All these issues will be addressed at a dinner at Chinchilla Bulldogs Rugby League Club on Friday night, including speeches from coaching maestro and former police officer Wayne Bennett, and Vanessa Fowler, chair of the Allison Baden-Clay Foundation, a charity fighting for action on domestic violence.

Everything you need to know

What: Frank Fisher Cup Reconciliation and Memorial Day

Where: Chinchilla and surrounds

Schedule

Friday, May 26

10.30am-1.30pm: NRL game development and police engagement at schools in Miles, Tara and Jandowae

6.30pm: Frank Fisher Cup dinner, Chinchilla Bulldogs Rugby League Club

Saturday, May 27

12pm: Welcome to Country

12.30pm: Central Crows v QPS Women (Watch live at Qplus.tv)

2.15pm: Frank Fisher Invitation XIII v QPS Men (Watch live at Qplus.tv)

A number of local junior matches will precede these games, and be followed by Roma District Rugby League matches between Chinchilla Bulldogs v Red Bulls in all three grades.

Teams

Central Crows

1. Olivia Cave, 2. Lauren Sims, 3. Tamika Olive, 4. Torika Kanadi, 5. Wainikita Gonevulavula, 6. Natalia Parsons, 7. Keysha Baker, 8. Wainikita Deku, 9. Alenna Whipp, 10. Katelyn Anderson, 11. Macey Finlay, 12. Anna Dingley, 13. Ella-J Harrias, 14. Ruojzharna Richardson, 15. Nakita Rhind, 16. Emily Garrett, 17. Rikarra Benjamin, 18. Tegan Gibbs, 19. Natalia Webb

QPS Women

1. Kerri Smith, 2. Jorgia Gray, 3. Mekilah Acworth, 4. Emma Pericic, 5. Belinda Patrick, 6. Sam Bliss, 7. Teresa Anderson, 8. Ayden Bain, 9. Savannah Pratten, 10. Shaye Easton, 11. Kirsten Taylor-Hansson, 12. Fran Wilson, 13. Syndee Storey, 14. Tahnee Guinea, 15. Kirsten Everett, 16. Donna Davis, 17. April Albury, 18. Brooke Kingdom, 19. Steph McConnell   

Frank Fisher Invitational

1. Chris Woodbridge, 2. Riley Drayton, 3. Vinnie Law, 4. Matty Waites, 5. Alex Hinch, 6. George Fisher, 7. Zac Alberts, 8. Damon Anderson, 9. Paddy Alberts, 10. Anthony Gray, 11. Fred Cobbo, 12. Jovyn Johnson, 13. Les Brown, 14. Caleb Motto, 15. Buddy Peacock, 16. Elwyn Fewquandie, 17. Zac Brown, 18. Luke Cesari

QPS Men

1.Jack Hargreaves, 2. Cameron Squires, 3. Sam Yip, 4. Cody Sinclair, 5. James Conroy, 6. Jake Carl, 7. Dave Cutler, 8. Jacob Lindsey, 9. Troy O’Sullivan, 10. Will Scanlan, 11. Andrew Beaumont, 12. Ryley Kajewski, 13. Kieran Melville, 14. Al Heldsinger, 15. Sam Pierce, 16. Josh Bentley, 17. Jack Connors, 18. Joel Kitching, 19. Kenny Agius

Main image courtesy of Past Tense Photography